The ancestry of the name Sherwood dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in Sherwood found in various locations in Nottingham and Derbyshire. The surname is probably best known in reference to the fabled Sherwood Forest which has been immortalized by the legendary Robin Hood, who according to legend was the Earl of Huntingdon, Robert Fitzooth. William of Sherwood (1190-1249) was a medieval English logician and teacher.

Sherwood Early Origins

The surname Sherwood was first found in Durham, but one of the earliest records of the name was found in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire of 1219 where Williame de Shirewude was listed. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) A few years later Lincolnshire when Ralph de Scirewode was listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. Alan de Shirewod was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327. The YorkshirePoll Tax Rolls of 1379 list the following: Margareta de Shyrwode; Alexander de Shyrwode; and Willelmus de Schiwode. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)

Sherwood Spelling Variations

Sherwood Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Sherwood have been found, including Sherwood, Sherward and others.

Sherwood Early History

Sherwood Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sherwood research. Another 289 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1552, 1579, and 1706 are included under the topic Early Sherwood History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sherwood Early Notables (pre 1700)

Sherwood Early Notables (pre 1700)

Distinguished members of the family include Blessed Thomas Sherwood ( c. 1552 - 1579) was a Catholic layman and martyr; Grace Sherwood, convicted of witchcraft in 1706 after a vengeful Luke Hill lost...

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sherwood Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sherwood In Ireland

Sherwood In Ireland

Some of the Sherwood family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Sherwood, or a variant listed above:

William Sherwood arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "British Sovereign" in 1847

James Sherwood arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1849

Joseph Sherwood, English Convict from Somerset, who was transported aboard the "Aboukir" on December 24, 1851, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia[5]CITATION[CLOSE]State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 18) Aboukir voyage to Van Diemen's Land and Norfolk Island. [These convicts appear to have all landed in Van Diemen's Land], Australia in 1851 with 280 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/aboukir/1851

John Sherwood, aged 25, a farm labourer, arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Sibella"

^ State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CLEVELAND 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Cleveland.htm

^ State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 18) Aboukir voyage to Van Diemen's Land and Norfolk Island. [These convicts appear to have all landed in Van Diemen's Land], Australia in 1851 with 280 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/aboukir/1851

The Sherwood Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Sherwood Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.